Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) Program: how to apply and use for tutoring

Yes. Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) Program funds cover online tutoring with certified providers. Kids on the Yard meets the program requirements and gives you the documentation you need for your application.

Yes. Kids on the Yard accepts all state education funding programs. We provide you with every document the program or the state may request (invoices, service descriptions, attendance records, provider credentials). The application and enrollment with the program are always submitted by the parent or guardian — talk to our educational team if you'd like more details on what documentation we provide.

Annual application window. 2025-26 closed June 30, 2025. 2026-27 window opens April 16, 2026. Families must reapply each year. Deadlines change frequently — always verify the latest dates on the official Iowa state portal or the program's official site before submitting.

Each program sets its own approved categories. KOTY rates are always priced within the Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) Program allowed range.

Some states allow stacking programs (e.g., ESA + additional scholarships). Stacking rules are state-specific and change over time — verify with the official portal before enrolling.

We know state-program approval and reimbursement can be complex. That's why we issue invoices in the cycles programs accept most smoothly — monthly, every two months, or quarterly — depending on what best fits your approval window. Each invoice includes the service description, hours, tutor credential, and the information programs typically require. If your program asks for a specific format, we adapt to it so your approval doesn't get delayed.

Yes. On request we provide the tutor's credentials, background-check confirmation, provider-of-record information, and any other documentation the program needs to validate the provider. If your program requires a specific certification, we confirm it up front so your enrollment goes through cleanly.

Your child's sessions continue as scheduled. We work with many families on state programs and we know reimbursements sometimes lag — that's between you and the program, not between you and KOTY. If you need extra documentation or a different invoice format to speed up review, just ask and we'll generate it.

Yes. We adjust subjects, frequency, and hours across the school year. Updated invoices reflect the change so program review stays clean. Approval of any change that affects the program-funded amount is always granted by the program itself, not by KOTY.